New York News
New York City Mayor Eric Adams addressed the public for the first time after being indicted in a federal corruption case, which alleges he acted as a foreign agent, accepted bribes, committed fraud, and conspired to commit these crimes. Facing potential decades in prison, Adams expressed no surprise at the charges, citing a year of leaks and public scrutiny leading up to this moment. He urged New Yorkers to reserve judgment until hearing his side of the story, pledging to continue his duties as mayor while his legal team handles the case. He also defended the city’s public servants, rejecting claims that the indictment would disrupt the administration’s work.
New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks is expected to step down by the end of 2024, following a wave of leadership resignations in Mayor Eric Adams’ administration amid federal corruption investigations. Banks’ departure comes after federal raids targeted multiple top city officials, including Banks and his family, though he has not been accused of any wrongdoing. His resignation follows other high-profile exits, including the city’s health commissioner and former NYPD commissioner, leading some to view these changes as part of a broader pattern of instability within the administration. Despite his praised work on improving education, Banks’ legacy may be overshadowed by the corruption probes surrounding City Hall.
Many mainstream and conservative Jewish voters in New York City are expressing strong support for former Governor Andrew Cuomo should he decide to run for mayor, especially following current Mayor Eric Adams’ recent legal troubles related to corruption charges. Jewish activists emphasize Cuomo’s moderate stance and his history of addressing issues significant to the Jewish community, including combating antisemitism and supporting Israel. As doubts grow about Adams’ ability to secure re-election, several Jewish leaders have voiced their confidence in Cuomo’s governance skills and are eager to rally behind him, given the significant Jewish voter bloc that could influence a Democratic primary.
Retired New York judge and former prosecutor Stewart Rosenwasser allegedly died by suicide following a shootout with FBI agents attempting to arrest him on bribery and corruption charges. Rosenwasser, embroiled in a federal scandal involving $63,000 in payoffs to rig a case for a friend, opened fire as agents approached his Orange County home. He had been indicted for conspiring with businessman Mout’z Soudani to target Soudani’s relatives in an embezzlement case. Although Rosenwasser’s son questioned reports of his suicide, the FBI is investigating the incident as part of their standard procedure in agent-involved shootings.
US NEWS
The remnants of Hurricane Helene have caused catastrophic floods and mudslides in western North Carolina, leaving at least 37 dead and communities devastated without access to basic necessities like water, food, power, gasoline, and communication services. The storm’s overall death toll has surpassed 100 across multiple states, with more expected as rescuers reach isolated areas. The destruction in towns like Asheville and Swannanoa includes collapsed roads, damaged power lines, and water treatment facilities, complicating recovery efforts. Local and federal authorities, along with the National Guard, are racing to deliver supplies and restore services, though full recovery could take weeks. Governor Roy Cooper called the disaster an “unprecedented tragedy.”
Dock workers on the East Coast are set to strike on Tuesday, potentially shutting down 36 ports and causing significant supply chain disruptions that could last through Election Day and into the holiday season. This strike could impact around 75% of U.S. banana imports, along with coffee, cocoa, and pharmaceuticals, particularly from Charleston, South Carolina. Contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association and port ownership have stalled over wages and automation, leading to this impasse. A strike would delay approximately $32.8 billion in clothing imports and over $23 billion in furniture imports, while also disrupting exports of agricultural products like poultry and beef, further exacerbating inflation concerns for consumers. With inflation being a critical issue for voters, many favor former President Donald Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris on economic matters, intensifying the urgency surrounding the potential strike.
North Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson was treated for second-degree burns after accidentally touching an exhaust pipe while campaigning at the Mayberry Truck Show in Mount Airy. The incident occurred as he was getting out of a truck during a parade when he tried to avoid running into supporters. He received treatment at Northern Regional Hospital but assured supporters in a video that he is fine. Robinson is running for governor against Democratic nominee Josh Stein, as current Gov. Roy Cooper is term-limited and cannot seek reelection.
SpaceX launched a rescue mission on Saturday to retrieve two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, currently stuck at the International Space Station (ISS). The mission sent up a downsized crew to bring them home, but their return is scheduled for late February next year. NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Alexander Gorbunov were tasked with retrieving Wilmore and Williams after safety concerns led to Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft returning to Earth empty earlier this month. The astronauts had initially anticipated a one-week stay in space but will end up spending over eight months in total. NASA had to adjust the SpaceX mission by cutting two astronauts from the launch to accommodate Wilmore and Williams on the return leg.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a formal apology on Thursday for the state’s role in slavery, following the veto of two reparations bills just a day earlier. Assembly Bill 3089, which he signed, requires the state to issue a formal apology and display it on a plaque at the state Capitol. Although slavery was never legal in California after its statehood in 1850, critics argue that state laws allowed slave owners to retain slaves after the practice was outlawed. Newsom acknowledged the state’s responsibility for promoting and permitting slavery and its ongoing racial disparities, emphasizing the need for recognition of past injustices. However, the apology does not advance reparations efforts, which have faced criticism for lack of progress. Newsom vetoed two bills related to reparations, including one that aimed to allow Black Californians to reclaim property taken by the government through eminent domain. He justified the vetoes by stating that existing legislative blocks made implementation impractical.
The Boise State women’s volleyball team announced it would forfeit its scheduled match against San Jose State on September 28, as the Mountain West Conference will officially record it as a loss for the team, which currently stands at 8-5 overall and 0-1 in the conference. Reports indicate that the forfeit was due to the presence of a male player, who is the team’s best player, prompting overwhelming support from Idaho’s political leaders. Governor Brad Little praised the decision as aligned with his Executive Order, the Defending Women’s Sports Act, emphasizing the need for fairness in women’s sports. U.S. Senators James Risch and Mike Crapo, along with Representative Russ Fulcher, echoed similar sentiments, commending Boise State for prioritizing the safety and competitiveness of female athletes against what they termed a “woke agenda.”
Legendary country music singer-songwriter and Hollywood star Kris Kristofferson passed away peacefully at his home in Maui at the age of 88, as confirmed by his family. Born in Texas in 1936, Kristofferson made his mark in the music industry after moving to Nashville in the 1960s, where he worked as a janitor at Columbia Studios while submitting his songs, including hits like “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Help Me Make it Through the Night.” He later transitioned to acting, starring in films such as A Star Is Born alongside Barbra Streisand and Blade with Wesley Snipes. Following the news of his death, tributes poured in from fellow artists like Dolly Parton, who praised him as a great writer and friend, and Barbra Streisand, who recalled their special connection during their collaboration. Kristofferson is survived by his wife Lisa, eight children, and seven grandchildren.
Israel NEWS
Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah was confirmed dead following an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. Hezbollah announced his death, calling him a “great martyr” who was killed in a “treacherous Zionist airstrike.” Since Hamas’s October 7 attack, Hezbollah has launched over 8,100 missiles and drones at Israel, displacing thousands in northern Israel. The IDF Chief of Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, stated that Nasrallah aimed to destroy Israel and emphasized that his death would not be the end of Israel’s military operations against Hezbollah. Experts believe that replacing Nasrallah will be a significant challenge for Hezbollah, with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps likely stepping in to support the organization. Despite Nasrallah’s death, Hezbollah retains its arsenal to threaten Israel, and coordinated operations against Israeli interests may continue globally.
Israeli special forces have been conducting targeted raids in Southern Lebanon for months, focusing on gathering intelligence and preparing for a potential ground incursion into the region. Reports indicate that these operations include infiltrating Hezbollah’s extensive tunnel network in anticipation of a possible military operation that could commence as early as this week. The Biden administration is reportedly pressuring Israel to avoid a full ground invasion in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Sheikh Naim Qassem, stated that the group is prepared to defend against any Israeli incursion. Israeli officials have indicated that while they are mobilizing troops near the border, any operation would likely be limited in scope.
Gideon Sa’ar, leader of the New Hope Party, will rejoin the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as announced in a joint statement on Sunday night. Netanyahu expressed gratitude for Sa’ar’s return to the government, emphasizing the need for unity in light of the ongoing conflict following Hamas’s attack on October 7. Sa’ar, who will serve as a member of the Security Cabinet, acknowledged their previously tumultuous relationship but stated that the current circumstances necessitated his decision to leave the opposition, where he felt misaligned with most members on wartime issues. His return as a minister-without-portfolio was unanimously approved by the cabinet.
WORLD NEWS
Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen launched a series of missile and drone attacks against U.S. Navy ships this week, coinciding with the Israeli airstrike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The U.S. Navy reported that three warships—guided-missile destroyers USS Stockdale and USS Spruance, along with littoral combat ship USS Indianapolis—successfully intercepted nearly two dozen incoming projectiles while transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait. No U.S. vessels were struck, and no sailors were injured during the incident. This escalation is part of a pattern, as the Houthis have targeted U.S. warships multiple times over the past year in response to U.S. support for Israel following Hamas’s attacks. Senator Roger Wicker condemned the assaults as acts of war and criticized the Biden administration’s response in the region, calling for decisive action against the Houthis.
U.S. airstrikes in Syria have killed 37 militants affiliated with the Islamic State group and an al-Qaeda-linked group, according to the military. The strikes occurred on Tuesday in northwestern Syria, targeting a senior militant from the al-Qaeda-linked Hurras al-Deen group, responsible for military operations. Additionally, a large-scale airstrike on September 16 hit an ISIS training camp in central Syria, resulting in the deaths of 28 militants, including at least four Syrian leaders. The U.S. maintains around 900 troops in Syria to prevent a resurgence of ISIS and to support allied forces, particularly the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.
Two global warming protesters, Anna Holland, 22, and Phoebe Plummer, 23, from the activist group Just Stop Oil, were sentenced to prison for throwing cans of tomato soup on Vincent Van Gogh’s “Sunflower” painting in London in 2022. A court sentenced Holland to two years and Plummer to 20 months for criminal damage to the painting’s frame, which is valued at nearly $85 million. Judge Christopher Hehir criticized their actions as reckless, stating that the soup could have caused serious harm to the artwork, and emphasized that they had no right to vandalize a “cultural treasure.” Plummer received an additional three months for participating in a road protest in October 2023. Following their sentencing, other members of Just Stop Oil shared footage of additional vandalism targeting Van Gogh paintings at the National Gallery. This judge previously sentenced five other climate activists from the same group to prison for conspiring to cause a public nuisance.
The United States announced that Qatar will join its Visa Waiver Program, allowing Qatari citizens to travel visa-free for up to 90 days starting by December 1. Qatar is the first Gulf nation admitted to the program, which requires stringent security standards such as cooperation on counterterrorism and law enforcement. This move deepens U.S.-Qatar ties, particularly given Qatar’s role in regional diplomacy, including its efforts in Gaza and dealings with the Taliban. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted that the program will boost strategic partnerships and economic exchange between the two nations.
Maggie Smith, the renowned actress best known for her roles as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” franchise and the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley in “Downton Abbey,” passed away peacefully in a London hospital on September 27 at the age of 89. Born in 1934, Smith had a prolific career spanning over 60 years, appearing in more than 50 films and winning numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, and five BAFTAs. Alongside her iconic roles in film and television, she reflected on her heightened fame from “Downton Abbey,” noting the challenges it brought to her previously normal life. Smith’s legacy is marked by her remarkable talent and influence in the acting world, with tributes pouring in from co-stars like Hugh Bonneville, who praised her wit and artistry.
